The LHS Newsletter Archive
Volume Twenty-five, Issue Number 3
Originally Published in Lecompton, Kansas : Fall 1999 Digitally Archived August 2006 UA£1' ~ae£~
VOL. 25, NO.3 LECOMPTON, KANSAS FALL, 1999
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I SURVEYOR GENERAL~S OFFICE CALHOUN CANDLEBOX pro-slavery men were determined to carry the "Taken from the Kansas City Journal-Sept. 23, 1908" electionby meansfair or foul. Theyhadto resortto foul, and the way they padded the ballot boxes Souvenir Of An Important Event In Kansas History would make Pinky Blitz and his gang, of election MostExciting EJection Ever Held in the Sunflower State- When the Issue Was, "ShallKansas be Free or Slave" crooks in Kansas City green with "envy. The "Calhoun Candlebox" played an important Olathe, Kas., Sept. 22--The first authentic story of part in these frauds, as the story told by Secretary Martin will reveal. It was an old-fashioned wooden the Oxford election frauds, by which Kansas was to be made a slave state and the important capture of box just large enough to hold a gross of candles. the "Calhoun Candlebox" by the free state men, But it was made big enough to hold enough was told at the Johnson county old setters' reunion fraudulent ballots, which. if the returns had been allowed to stand, would have made Kansas a slave here to-day by George W. Martin, secretary of the Kansas Historical Society. The most exciting elect- state. Mr. Martin brought the candlebox along with ions ever held in Kansas perhaps were in October him today and exhibited it during his address. Many and December, 1857 and January, 1858. On their old settlers remembered the stirring incident of the result depended the fate of Kansas. The great early days in which the box was a central figure. issue was: KShallKansas be free or slave?" The Candlebox as Souvenir. "This candleboxis a souvenirof an important
-- - am fr. our tecrtforiaI'history, illustratingthe also ordered an election for state officers, Jan. 4, ~ of:hose whosoughtthe extensionof 1858. The legislature provided that on the same ~- ever. ~ the dissolutionof the Union,"said day the people should vote for or against the SeaeIary \!a1in. in beginning his address. "From Lecompton constitution. Hence there were two ror:-ii-.~ . doubtifthere has never been a elections on January 4, 1858, the pro-slavery ~ ~ ofthe connectionofthis box people ignoring the one ordered by legislature, 1riIh~ -."Otingin October and November,1857, while the free state men participated in both. It is and Jcr'..ay. 1858. Itis understoodto be the ballot the elections of October 5 and 6 and December 21, box ~ ?tdch were cast or rather stuffed the 1857, and January 4, 1858, with which this story ~~ ballotsofthe townofOxford,inJohnson deals. The vote of the last two were returnable to ~~. There are no records by whichit can be John Calhoun, president of the Lecompton i:!en1ffied.' But it is the box in which L. A. constitutional convention. ~~.fclean) chief clerk in the surveyor Messengers at Voting Places. genera's office at Lecompton, deposited the "Governor Walker, upon arriving in the territory, "'ek..'"1Sfor the elections of December 21, 1857, soon concluded that the thing to do was to induce and January 4. 1858, and which he buried in the the free state men to vote. The total vote of the 1rOO constitutional convention. although, one statement candlebox. is that he lived in Westport. It is said the people of "But how did the candlebox secure its fame? On Oxford were astounded at the magnitude of the the 12th January, 1858, the legislature appointed a returns. committee to investigate the election of December "Going Behind the Returns." 21, 1857 and January 4, 1858. In their report they "I was an apprentice in the office of the National say they were unable to obtain the original poll Democrat at Lecompton during this time, and books of either election at Oxford or Shawnee. Secretary Stanton furnished pretty near all the One statement is that the returns from Johnson editorial. It was my duty to go after this copy, and I county were sent by mail, and another is that they did not have to knock to get on the inside. The were last seen in the surveyor general's office in Oxford and McGee frauds caused great large envelopes. Nearly all the pro-slavery commotions. Reeder and Geary had balked, each precincts were characterized by the same style of leaving the territory in the night, and Walker and voting. T. Dwight Thacher, in an address on "The Stanton were against it. A violent di scussion arose Rejected Constitution" said that they practically had about going behind the returns, which greatly no voters, and that the stuffing was for the muddle me. But when Walker and Stanton, about purposes of making a showing at Washington. L. the 12th of October, hitched four mules to an A. McLean swore before the legislative ambulance, and with a squad of soldiers started investigating committee that he sent the returns by do~n to see Oxford, I understood the term going messenger to General Calhoun in Platte county, behind the re~urns." Upon their return to Mo., about the 19th, or 20th of January. So far Lecompton on the 19th of October they issued a there is no trace of a candlebox connected with proclamation throwing out the returns from Oxford. Oxford, but the candlebox before you proved to be The election was held for two days, and over 1,500 the petard with which the conspiracy to steal of the votes were reported to be cast on the Kansas was blown up." second day. The governor and secretary found a "When McLean returned from Lawrence few trifling irregularities. It was a viva voce vote, something had to be done to protect his perjured there were twenty-one candidates, and it was testimony. He waited until all had gone to bed, and concluded that it was a physical impossibility for then with a comrade quietly in the night, they 1,500 to vote such a ballot in one day. Walker and displaced a pile of stovewood, dug a hole, buried Stanton said: "The disposition to be made of the the returns in this heroic candlebox, smoothing it supposed vote is rendered all important by the fact over with about eight inches of dirt and chips, and that the political character of the legislative replacing on top of it the pile of wood, and two assembly will be controlled by the addition of three United States senatorships were supposed to be councilmen and eight representatives to the safe. strength of one party or the other according to the "Burial of the Returns." adoption or rejection of the returns in question.' "But there was in and about Lecompton a large On the 23rd Judge Cato issued a mandamus Pennsylvania settlement, composed principally of ordering certificates of election to be issued to the very strong men, who imagined that they were free pro-slavery candidates, but the governor and state Democrats, and the Southern men hated secretary still refused. Stanton said he would suffer them with intense bitterness. They befriended his right arm cut off first. Walker asked leave of John W. Geary and Robert J. Walker, the former absence, and interviewed the administration at giving peace, and the latter honest elections, to the Washington, but finding no support would be given terri1ory,and what was still more heinous, they also him in his work of reform resigned. For calling an befriended Sheriff Sam Walker. In the surveyor extra session of the legislature a month or so later, general's office there was a man of all work named Stanton was summarily dismissed. Charles Torrey, a Berks county Dutchman, who Illegal Votes Were Cast. was known as Dutch Charlie. Torrey was a spy for "But Oxford was not to be snuffed out. At the the Pennsylvanians, and he saw this burial of the election, December 21, 1857, on the adoption or returns through a crack in the window blind. As rejection of the Lecompten constitution, 1,214 soon as the job was over and all had settled down illegal votes were cast. At the election held January Torrey slipped out and notified William Brindle, then 4, 1858, 696 illegal votes were cast. These returns receiver of the land office. Mr. Brindle, E. W. being subject to the constitutional convention, are Winkoop, Hardman, and Harry Petriken, and doubtless the ones connected with the Calhoun George A. Crawford were aroused, and a plan of r 30 action was devised. A diagram of the woodpile was Charlie Torrey. And who was Charlie "Dutch" made and furnished Sheriff Walker, four miles Torrey? He was the most obscure of the away, who at daylight was in Lawrence to obtain a seventeen clerks in the office of the surveyor search warrant and organized a posse, and by noon general at Lecompton, the Kansas territorial capital. he surprised McLean by going direct to the spot But despite his obscurity, or , because of it, he was and unearthing the returns. McLean forbid the able to thwart the plan of President Buchanan and search and threatened resistance, but at Walkers's congress to fasten stavery on Kansas; by his suggestion Dutch Charlie had removed the caps uncovering of election frauds in Kansas, he split from forty muskets there were in the building. the Democratic party in two in 1860, which resulted Mclean sought advice from a Southern lawyer, in the defeat of Stephen A. Douglas for the who suggested that he go hang himself, but presidency; by splitting the Democracy, he brought instead .in two hours' time he was astride a mule about the election of Abraham Lincoln, which in making for Weston, Mo., where General Calhoun turn brought on the Civil War and ended stavery. hid himself during the entire time of the To understand the great part Charlie Torrey investigation by the legislative committee. played, we must go back to February 2, 1858, "The 'Calhoun candlebox' was sent to Dr. when President Buchanan sent his famous Kansas Thomas H Webb, of Boston, Mass.. and after statehood message to congress in which he urged twenty years absence, presented by him to the the admission of Kansas as a slave state. Congress historical society. was all set to do his bidding and the machinery was "The voters of Johnson county did nobly at oiled in both the house and senate to rush the Shawnee also. At that time there were about 500 admission bill through. But at the very moment legitimate votes in the county. Shawnee cast 753 while Buchanan's message was being read, the votes, from 650 to 700 being fraudulent. Your election frauds in Kansas were being uncovered by county had but one distinguished voter, Salmon P. Torrey, and congress dared not follow the Chase, as against such a list as James Buchanan, President. John C. Fremont, Thomas H. Benton, Horace Torrey had been a sheriff and schoolmaster Greeley, William H. Seward, John P. Hale and Adam back in Berks County, Pennsylvania, before being Bible, each of whom- voted at Kickapoo:-Tn-appointed, because of his lOyaltyto the Democratic Leavenworth county. Your neighbors in Jackson party, as clerk, messenger and janitor in the office county were not in it with the citizens of Platte of the surveyor general. Torrey had fallen on evil county." days back in Pennsylvania and was glad to accept (This article appeared in the Kansas City Journal- any sort of a job, and so he came to Kansas and Sept. 22, 1908-written by George W. Martin. Mr. went to work. He never had anything to say, and Martin came to Lecompton when a boy of fourteen. his superior officers supposed him to be a dumb He learned the printer's trade in the old Lecompton clerk, who knew only how to sweep out well and Union office.) who wrote a fair hand and who did everything he ********************************************************* was told to do. AN OBSCURE KANSAS CLERK A Benefactor of Lincoln MAY HAVE HASTENED OUTBREAK The chief in the surveyor general's office was OF CIVIL WAR. John Calhoun, who is known to readers of the "The Great Frauds in Connection With the biographies of Abraham Lincoln from the fact that he gave Lincoln his boost up the ladder of fame by Adoption of the Lecompton Constitution appointing him assistant surveyor of Sangamon Came to Light Through the Revelations of County, Illinois, when Calhoun was county Charlie Torry-Were it not for him, Lincoln surveyor. Calhoun was a Jackson Democrat and Might Never Have Gained the Presidency" (Takenfrom the KansasCity Times, Friday,Feb. 21, Lincoln a Henry Clay Whig, but Calhoun recognized 1936) that the long, lean grocery clerk was quick at In celebrating the diamond jubilee of statehood figures. He taught Abe surveying and gave him the this year, Kansas school children, teachers, editors job by which he earned money to buy law books and orators have had no trouble in remembering and study law. Later Calhoun became ambitious. the famous deeds of John Brown, Jim Lane, He ran for the governorship and for congress and Charles Robinson and other early Kansas heroes; was defeated. Then he accepted the surveyor but they are practically unanimous in forgetting generalship of Kansas and laid his plans to be come a political leader in the territory with the thought in mind that when Kansas should become a state he but Calhoun returned to announce the returns, and would be one of the senators. He picked the it was feared that if he was allowed to keep them for proslavery party as the one most likely to succeed, an indefinite period he could falsify the returns. or perhaps he picked the proslavery party because The territorial legislature took two steps to he thought that Kansas should be a slave state. prevent congress from accepting the L~compton The proslavery party was running things in constitution as the voice of the people of Kansas. Kansas in those days, and when, in 1857, it was First they called an election on the constitution decided to write a constitution for Kansas and apply itself, at which it was defeated by a vote of 10,226 for admission as a state, the managers of the to 161. In that election the proslavery voters did territory made no provision for registering voters in not participate, contending that it was illegal. The several of the counties where the free-state party second thing the territorial legislature did was to was in the majority. Districts in the other counties appoint a special committee to investigate the were so' gerrymandered that the proslavery elections and to make official report of the returns delegates were bound to be elected. For that which Calhoun had refused to divulge. reason the proslavery party won the elections and Before he could be subpoenaed by the packed the convention, which met at Lecompton, legislative committee, Calhoun announced ht- with proslavery delegates. John Calhoun was would make public the official returns aft.:.u elected president of the convention. congress had acted on the Lecomp~:-i While the constitution was being written another constitution. He then departed for Washingtc:-', to election was held to choose territorial legislators. lobby for Kansas statehood. This removed him This election, which was fairly conducted, resulted from the jurisdiction of the Kansas Legislative in the election of a free-state legislature. The committee. Lecompton delegates, therefore, resolved to use Many Protest to Buchanan other means to secure the adoption of their President Buchanan apparently agreed with constitution than by submitting it to a fair election. everything that Calhoun told him and prepared his The convention voted not to submit the message. Governor Robert J. Walker, a constitution as a whole, but only the slavery Mississippian, who had been secretary of the question. The ballots were made to read: treasury in Polk's cabinet when Buchanan was 1. For the constitution with slavery secretary of state, hurried from Lecompton to 2. For the constitution with no slavery. Washington to warn the President that the If proposition NO.1 carried, Kansas would be Lecompton constitution has been adopted by admitted to the union as an unrestricted slave state. fraud and to have nothing to do with it. Buchanan, If NO.2 carried, then the right to import slaves from however, declined to heed Walker's advice, and other states was denied, but all slaves within the the Kansas governor resigned. state at the time of its admission, "and their Buchanan next appointed James Denver, a increase," should remain slaves. Since the voters Californian and a former Virginian, as territorial had to vote for slavery no matter which proposition governor. Denver soon sensed that the they chose, the free-state voters remained away Lecompton Constitution did not represent the will from the polls a second time. of the Kansas people and protested to Buchanan Elections of Little Value against his endorsing it. He sent Rush Elmore, a The result was that the constitution with widely known Kansas slave holder, to Washington slavery won, the announced vote being 6,143 for to warn the President that the constitution was full the constitution with slavery and 569 for the of dynamite. J. H. Stringfellow, editor of an constitution with no slavery. Of the votes recorded Atchison newspaper, and a leader of the proslavery 2,912 were fraudulent, as Charlie Torrey was to faction, also protested against it as a fraudulent uncover at the right time. document. Following the adoption of the constitution, Buchanan, however, foresaw that the proslavery Calhoun called a second election, January 4, 1858, leaders of the South wanted Kansas to be a slave to choose provisional state officers, who would state and that unless it was admitted as a slave state serve in case congress admitted Kansas under the they would probably withdraw their states from the Lecompton constitution. In this election both union. In the interest of harmony, or because he proslavery and free-state candidates were was playing politics, Buchanan sent his message nominated. According to unofficial returns, the saying that slavery already existed in Kansas and free-state candidates won by about 300 majority, that "Kansas is therefore as much a slave state as Georgia or South Caroline." Warning the congress percussion caps. But as each of the clerks picked against doing anything that would disrupt the up his weapon to fight, he noticed, upon cocking union, the President ended his message with the piece, that the percussion cap had been these words. removed. Torrey had removed the caps in the "The dark and ominous clouds which now appear night and the guns were worthless. The sheriff's to be impending over the union, I conscientiously posse exhumed the candlebox and galloped to believe may be dissipated with honor to every Lawrence, where the legislative committee wff~ in portion of it by admission of Kansas during the session. McLean and Sherrard, frightened at wh8t present session of congress, whereas, if she might happen to them especially to McLean, who should be rejected, I greatly fear those clouds will had perjured himself, fled across the Kansas Riyer, become darker and more ominous than any which seized a pair of mules belonging to a farmer, threw have ever yet threatened the Constitution and the off the harness and rode bareback to Missour)~ I;>e union." . outside the jurisdiction of the Kansas authorities.' Kansas, in those days, had no telegraph wires When the election returns were examined it wa~ and Washington listened to the President's discovered they had been padded outrageousi). message and after hearing it members of both At Oxford, in Johnson County, a precinct with six houses of congress began writing the Kansas houses, the returns showed that 1,266 votes had statehood bill. But at Lecompton events were been cast. At Shawnee Mission, the returns had happening with dramatic suddenness. The been padded to show 729 votes, although the legislature committee, foiled in the attempt to bring number of voters there were less than a hundred. Calhoun before it, summoned his chief clerk, L. A. At Kickapoo, in Leavenworth County, which had McLean. He testified before the committee on only a few houses at a point where the trail crossed January 30 that Calhoun had taken the election a creek, the returns showed 1,017 ballots had returns to Washington with him to show them to the been cast. President. The Effect on the Nation Charlie Torrey's work When the news arrived in the eastern states, the But this selfsame McLean went at midnight with newspapers were filled with the account of the -another of- his-clerl Commissioners, Rep. Sloan, and residents of MCRAE FAMILY Lecompton and Perry publically stated they will "Recollections of His Family by Albert E. McRae, meet with you or your designee to further discuss Newton, Kansas (1983)" this issue. As the Chairman of the Douglas County Commission noted, "the Commission and Reps. I always thought my folks came to Lecompton, Sloan and Tanner have endorsed using the Kansas from Ctay Center, Kansas...Looking back existing right-of-way for the improvement of Hwy and trying to account for the rough times I see a 23 59 between Lawrence and Ottawa. It would be year old farm boy with his 29 year otd wifecoming unreasonable to believe that a different position into a strange community with nothing but a team of would be taken regarding the construction of K-10 horses and a lumber wagon. Someone let him take north. some land they probably couldn't make pay, and he ,o,o,o ,o,o * * ,o,o,o ,o,o,o,o,o * * * ,o,o ,o,o * * * ,o,o ,o,o,o ,o,o * * ,o,o,o,o,o ,o,o,o,o,o * * ,o,o,o,o,o,o * ,o,o * * struggled there for six years, during which time he THANKS sold his horeses, etc. and went to Kansas City Thanks to the following people who have loaned looking for work. The flood really wiped him out. or donated items to the Territorial Capital-Lane From that time on he had to depend on what work Museum. Paul Bahnmaierand curators. he could get. He dug a few wells, shucked corn and any odd job he could get. All this time having a 1. Friendship quilt made by Minnie Belle Duncan new baby before they were able to take care of the Painter and friends at the Big Springs United ones already there. . Brethren church. George Washington Painter Lecompton is a town of maybe 300. Bythe time I lived in Big Springs before and after the Cherokee was 11 and Ralph 13, we bought a place on the Strip 1893: by Virginia Painter Buch. edge of town with maybe three acres, we built a 2. Red felt hat by Paul Bahnmaier barn for three cows, a chicken house, planted a lot 3. Paper money bills from foreign countries: One of fruit tre65r had a big garden and began to get by pound from Australia, one Ten Peso from Japan fairly good shape. Ralph and I worked in a nursery and one Peso from Phillipines. They were brought for 75 cents a day, pulling weeds out of apple tree home by Asa Richardsonfrom WW II and a Jewelry seedlings. Next summer Ralph and I and our dad box. by Susie B~Richardson worked on the Tailroad for $1.75 a day, $5.25 for 4. Senior class play book 1934. "The Mummy and the three of us. We were rich. We paid off the the Mumps" & "Arrested for Speeding" by Grace house and all our debts. Ralph quit schoolafter the Kellogg Melton. eight grade and went to work for the Hanlan Supply 5. 2 report cards of George Shaw: 1916-17 & Co. He was away from home most of the time from 1920-21. 5 1951 Flood Pictures. George Shaw's then on but sent his money home because I and first grade school picture 1912-1913. by Frederic four girls still had to be put through high school. Shaw. We all worked someplace every summer, and as 6. Picture of Homer McClanahan, members of B soon as we finished high school each one of us 24 crew in Europe during WWII, 1944 by Homer had to get out of town to get a job, mostly in McClanahan Topeka, which was about twenty miles away. 7. 5 books: "The Story of America in Pictures" Lawrence was 12 miles the other way. I guess you "Pictorial History of American Presidents" "When could say we were home free when we all finished Kansas was Young" "Around the World in 2,000 school. I worked 48 years on the Santa Fe Railroad, Pictures" "Civil War in Pictures" by Evelyn afraid to change jobs--had seen too many years Herschell. when jobs were very hard to find. Our folks got 8. HallTree-David Paslaymemorial along fine on their place on the edge of town and 9. Lamp Table & Bookstand-MarieTraxler memorial we were close enough to drop in on them pretty 10. Office Lights-Mary Nelle Lasswell memorial often. Note: The McRae family owned the land where the MEMBERSHIP REPORT Democratic Headquarters stands. They rented the stone house to a nice old couple for a few years, Life Member: then to the Delge family, just starting their family. 8ton E. Spena They lived there until the land was sold to Pat Istas, Francis'Sonny'Foley now owned by the Lecompton Historical Society PaulOTrimble and is being renovated. '-- LECOMPTON ALUMNI 1941-Harold Crady & Helen-1942 Virginia Smith Allen & Robert The Lecompton High School Maxine Glenn Dark & Myron 1956-Elsie Bahnmaier Wizer Alumni Banquet was held June Betty Hodson Rogers Earle Kasson & Karen (1959) 19 at the United Methodist Opal Lasswell Goodrick Karen Sanford Werts Church Fellowshiip Hall. There Lura Holloway McAlexander Richard Werts were 141 graduates and guest 1942- Helen Banks Crady Larry Mathews & Brenda present. The group voted to Mae Everett Holderman & 1957-Betty Allen Newell return to the Lecompton High Wally 1958-Donald Hoffsommer School Fieldhouse next year. Corrine Fleming Childs & Joe Robert Morris & They also voted to add $1.50 to Richard Walter & Mary Lou Salisbury Morris each reservation ($10.00) to 1943-Alta Kampschroeder Walter 1959-Gail Kasson & Judy- Yates Ed Turner cover the cost of renting and Lester Stauffer & Betty (44) Karen Fish Kasson moving the tables and chairs. Dorothy Sulzen Casto & This will be a tremendous help to Marvin Robert Glenn & Carolyn those on the committee. Alice Jeanie Kent Vestal & Evelyn Houk Jensen & Don Chilcott Bates will be in charge of 1944-Betty Crady Stauffer Jay H. Vestal invitations and changes of Bob Fleming & Martha Francis Foley & Reta 1960 Paul Bahnmaier address may be sent to P. O. Box lona Herschell Spencer Richard Hildenbrand & 63, Lecompton, Ks. 66050. Bill Leslie & Robert Goodrick will be Rhonda Betty Webber Leslie Nancy Hudson Foster responsible for chairs and tables. Marjorie Sanford Daniels & Honored classes will be 1930, Qarence 1961- Mary Sue Morris Christman 1962-Robert Christman 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 2000. Mary Walter Powell & Now is the time for someone in Dennis Gowing Marge Powell Morris each class to help oraanize your Charles Worley & 1963-Linda Van Riper ten year reunion. Alumni will be 1964-Dennis Stauffer & Erma Wulfkuhle Worley Saturday June 17, 2000. 1945-R uth Selch Corzette & Mary (1966) Those who attended the Robert 1965-Joyce Bahnmaier Behlke Alumni June 19, 1999 1946-Beverly Bahnmaier Van 1965 Donna Andes Wright Dyke & Bill 1966 Mary Skinner Stauffer 1930:-Helen Norwood James Banks & Rosalie (1955) 1967 -Larry Bates & 1969-Alice Chilcott Bates 1931-Edythe Leslie Stevenson Vernon Chiles & Edna & Leslie Wesley Norwood & Doris Bonny Leslie Fugett & Steve 1932- Helen Frye Hildenbrand 1948-Marshall Rainbolt & 1933- Willis Horton & Helen Karen Allen Potter Virginia Richards Rainbolt Michael Walter & Connie (1938) 1949-BifI Wingfield & Georgia 1934- Grace Kellogg Melton & Frances Robertson Sanford Bob Goodrick & Marian Harold 1950-Carol Morris Kibbee & David Gowing Dale Smith & Janet 1936- Dorothy Sanford Daniels & Kenneth (1951) Alvin Marge Schmitt came in place 1970 -Terry Hope & Dawn RobertWalter& Edna 1977 -Howard Sanford of Jerry Schmitt 1937- Elmer Goodrich 1951 Kenneth Kibbee Visitors: Wanda Chiles Manis- 1938- Ruth Bertschinger Ruth RothwellVervynck Mildred Chiles Lester Schrimer Jim Chiles 1952-Margie Hildenbrand HelenConnoleHorton Norma Svoboda Hemrick 1953-George Mathew & Rita Juanita Strait 1939-Florence Connole Kreipe NancyMorrisHoward & & Gene Len Paid, but didn't get to attend: George Simmons & BillyJoe Smith & Dorothy Jack Collins & Wife Gladys 1940-Arloene DeKat Simmons 1955-John Bahnmaier & Lanna Larry Hughes & guest VictorineBarlandVetter Roy Harding-deceased-repre- DelmarBarland Notice: Change of address mail sented by hiswife Donna BillHodson& Jean RosalieRogersBanks to Lecompton Alumni Assoc. Tony Ice Vl/illieTurner P. O. Box 63, Joe Stauffer& Ruth Lecom,pton Ks. 66050 'I: LECOMPTON HIGH SCHOOL 50TH REUNION he did agree to let me play with some cleats tacked OF THE CLASS OF 1940 in 1990 by Clare J. onto my work shoes. Also, who could forget that Colman. after the "away games" we always stopped in What do I remember about my years at Lecomp- Topeka at his father-in-Iaw'spharmacyfor soda and ton High School? While the lapse of 50 years has ice cream. clouded my memory of many events and activitie::>, Our shop classes were held in the old Lane a few stand out as though they happened University building. Joe Stauffer and I worked at a yesterday. table in the southwest cornerotthe auditortum. On For instance, I can never forget the first day of warm days we were upstairs. In cold weather Vri'e school when one did not know exactly what to ex- were down in what is now the main hall of the pect. For me it was. the belt lina. Justbetare Historical..Society. There we had a big potbelly classes opened, the upper classmen made all stove to keep us warm. I was very proud of the oak freshmen line up in front of the school and run sewing cabinet I made for my mother. between two rows to get slapped with a belt. It hurt! What else? Oh yes, Senior Sneak Day. I only About that time I was ready to go home and forget remember two things: we went to the Lake of the high school. Ozarks, and I had a toothache the entire trip. I Next I remember riding my pony 5 miles to school. wonder what else we did ? It was nice in the spring and fall but miserable in the At graduation I remember we got diplomas and it winter. Joe Stauffer also rode a pony and we kept. rained--and tmean it rained! Because of the iTluddy them in a shed built for that purpose just east of the roads, it was a challenge to get home that night. football field. Today, in the age of schoolbuses and What did high school mean to me? It meant that I cars, my children and grandchildren think I'm received a good education in the basics with no exaggerating when I tell them how I got to school. frills. It served me well as I went onto KU and Most of all, I remember some of the teachers. In became a civil eng.in~,. It also $erved me well in a math Mrs. Summers made us memorize geometry career with Mobil for 37 years, mostly pioneering theorems and made mathematics fun. Later I was the development of offshore platforms and facilities glad she did as I found this foundation served me around the world. well. - Who could forget Loda Newcomb and her typing OBITUARIES class? She was a perfectionist and all her students Rogers, Mary McRae, died April 2°, 1999 in Chula were the better for it. I'll never forget the day I Vista, Calif. She was born Lecompton, Nov. 11, passed the 60-words-per-minute test. (Loda now 1909 the daughter of Albert S. and Jennie Ritchie lives in Presbyterian Manor at Lawrence) McRae. She was a court reporter in the Marine When you were in one of Mr. Pastay'sctassesyou Corps. had to really work hard, since he was the principal. Survivors include a brother Albert 'Bert' McRae, He didn't accept many excuses for not doing your Newton, Ks. homework. In looking back, he was a good teacher. Private Inurnmentin Greenwood MemorialPark. If you were in Jennie Doane's biology class, you certainly couldn't forget it. Not only did she have Hartman, Cliffom R. 79, died Apm 29, 1999 in you dissect grasshoppe rs, frogs and fish to team Vancouver, Wash. about biology, she also made you draw what you He was born March 28, 1920in Lecomptcm,the learned. I guess you could say she also taught art. son of Gus and EthelWilson Hartman Let me tell you what r remember about music. He marriedShirley Lewis, his wife of 25 years. His Daisy Bair - now Wingfield--wanted me to play the first wife Jane preceded tn death in 1!}73 tuba in the orchestra. I was game and, after an Survivors include two sons from his first marriage, eternity, was able to mechanically play" America" Richard Hartman of Santa Barbara, Calif. and David and maybe one or two notes when the orchestra Hartman of Anchorage, adopted son, Michael played. I have great admiration for her good humor DeVoe of Columbus, Ohio, and grandchildren, and tenacity. It was obvious I would never be a musician. Heather, Chad and Derek Hartman of Anchorage, and Grant and Hannah DeVoe of Columbus, Oh. I was never very good in football or basketball,but He was cremated and his asheswere scatteredin did get to play to make "away games." I remember the Chugach Mountains at a spot overlooking the football coach being very tolerant of me Anchorage, Alaska. because I couldn't afford regular football shoes, but I , Butler, James Glenn Sr., 82, died Monday, May He served in the Army during World War II. and 17, 1999 in Overland Park, Ks. was a member of the Christian Church in Kingman He was born May 3, 1917, in Topeka, the son of and attended Town and Country Christian Church William and Ethel Moore Butler. He was a member in Topeka. of the Holy Cross Catholic Church. He was born Aug. 15, 1922, in Topeka the son of He was lead navigator in the 493rd Bomb Group in Fred A. and Rosella Michael Fisher. England during World War I!and was decorated with He married Virginia L. Perkins on Aug. 18, 1946, the Distinguished Flying Cross. in Topeka. She survives. A granddaughter Kayfa He married Rubye L. Shutter, April 12, 1941. Pinkston, died in March, 1994. A grandson Kenda~ Topeka, Ks. She survives of the home. Krueger, died in June, 1996. Survivors include a son, James G. Butler,Jr., Other survivors include sons, Randy E. and Craig Overland Park; two daughters, Lucinda White, L. Fisher, both in Topeka; daughters, Julie A. Lenexa, and Rosemary Garrett, Olathe; 11 Rothenberg and Lynn H. Roach, both in S1. Louis; grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. 13 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He is relatedto the Glenn's in Lecompton. Burial in Mount Hope Cemetery in Topeka. He was in the High class of 1944 for 2 years. Brodhag, John Wm., 90, died Wed. May 26, 1999 in Topeka. Jones, Byron L., 77, died June 7, 1999, at He was born March 16, 1909, in Topeka, the Weslaco, Tex. son of Sarah B. Marshal! and John Wm. Brodhag, He was born Feb. 26, 1922, in Lawrence, the Sr. He was a member of the First United M-ethodist sonof 'vVilliamMillerand 'v'efaiVfarieGleriilJvil~3. Church. He served in the Air Force during World War II. He married Gertrude I. Hoad on Nov. 4, 1961 in He married Atha F. Hunter Jan. 2, 1943, in Topeka. She survives. Lawrence. She survives of the home. Mr. Brodhagwas cremated, and burialof remains Other survivors include two daughters, Linda M. in Topeka Cemetery. Ratliff and Kathy J. Guth, both of Lawrence, a The Hoad family was also one of the early settlers brother, Kenneth Jones, Eugene, Or.; two sisters, of Lecompton. Cleo Marie Gillaspie,Topeka, and Irma Jean Kemp, Wichita. and four grandchildren. FISHER, Robert E., 76, Topeka, died Sunday, Burialwas in MemorialParkCemetery,Lawrence. May 30, 1999. **************************************Please Clip and Mail With YourCheck************************************** THE LECOMPTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Lecompton, Kansas 66050, is a non-profit corporation for the preservation of historical sites. We are eager for continued membership and new members. Dues are $5.00 per year for individual membership and $7.00 for a couple's membership. The dues are from December to December. Life membership is $50 per individual, contributions are tax deductible. Checks should be made payable to the Lecompton Historical Society, and mailed to Georgia Trammel, 11 N 2064 Rd, Lecompton, KS 66050 $5.00 Annual Individual Membership $7.00 Annual Couple's Membership $50.00 Individual Ute or Memorial Membership Other Contribution $ NAME Address____------ City State Zip------PLEASE NOTIFY US OF ANY CHANGE OF ADDRESS It cost the Lecompton Historical Society .50 cents for a returned change of address "------..--- "" Babbitt, Dale E., 77, of Overbrook, died Wed. Robert and MaybelleSpangler S~avoos. She was ..~~e 16. 1999. an elementary school teacher for more than 25 '::.e was born Nov. 26, 1921, in Lawrence, the years. ~ Gf Bert Jo.~ and Gladys Olive Reusch Babbitt. She was a member of the United Methodist I-ie was a member of Fairview MethodTst Church Church. SYXF.hif :..aM"ence. Survivorsinclude a daughter, Sara Rachael ;..;emanied Norma Lynchon Jan. 15, 1942, in Walter, three sisters, Maybelle"Duggie"Hall,Lee's u-.~- She survWes. Summit, Mo. Edith Ward, Santa Ana, Calif., and Other SLrVM:xsinclude a son, Alan D. Babbitt, Henrretta Anderson, Otathe and two grandcht!dren. o-wertJrook,two daughters, Helen O'Trimble,Perry, Burial in St. Peters Catholic Cemetery in Big and Pf1yilisAnderson, Clinton; nine -grandchildren Springs. ard eigtrtgreat-grandchildren. Sara was a dedicated supporter of Lecompton Etlia: was in ClintonCemetery and its history. She contributed considerable informationto the Bald Eagle and was one of the Sale, Betty Jean, 77, Lawrence, died Mon. July early organizers of the Lecompton Historical 19, 1999. Society. She also stressed the importance of She was born Aug. 29, 1921, in Lawrence the Lecompton's history to her students. daughter of Everett Ernest and Mary Elizabeth 8cD ~~j- PeG BauuClit::I Program" Beverly VanDyke Historical Writer~Sara Walter .'i:e~:. ~~ Milin3I Membership" Georgia Simmons Trammel Secseby %.~~ R::Vens Genealogy & Historical researcher"lona Spencer ~~.B9iytesle Tours"01arIene Wnter aae '\I3ctas '"Y2xha L\ ::;r-=i:..axo.~ ~ Requested Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID ~~ '\ Permit No. 1 Canst. Hall Hist. ""'--.e~~' ~SaHy Lecompton, Kansas % Tim Rues ~,;, £t! "'&£, 6OO5C PO Box 198 Lecompton KS 66050 ~